Students may get military training

Mandatory paramilitary training may be introduced for all students who wish to join public universities in Kenya, said Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

This comes in the wake of increased acts of terrorism extended to learning institutions.

These include the massacre of 148 Garissa University College students and a stampede at University of Nairobi Kikuyu Campus that left one student dead and more than 100 others injured.

The Cabinet Secretary said they would hold talks with the Ministry of Education and agree how it will be done following the request by a parents association.

“It is a proposal. We haven’t made a decision yet,” Ms Waiguru said on Wednesday in Nairobi during a press briefing on the forthcoming second annual devolution Conference, set to be held in Kisumu County from April 21-23.

She was accompanied by the Council of Governors vice chairman Salim Mvurya and officials from the two levels of government. The conference is organised by the Ministry of Devolution and the Council of Governors.

Counties have in the past complained of inadequate funding from the national government for some of the devolved functions, particularly in health.

Security is an issue that is likely to feature during the conference because although it is a national function, governors need to be involved to firmly deal with runaway insecurity especially in northern Kenya.

“The conference will address all these challenges and issues,” said Ms Waiguru.

Mr Mvurya denied claims that counties have become havens of corruption. He is also the governor of Kwale.